Man Utd handed huge boost in Joshua Zirkzee pursuit

Manchester United's hopes of signing Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee have been boosted by AC Milan's admission that they are no longer pursuing the Dutch international.

Earlier this summer, Milan were seen as the leading contenders to sign Zirkzee and even struck a deal over personal terms with the 23-year-old, whose £34m release clause makes him an affordable target in today's market.

Milan, however, failed to get a deal over the line before United ramped up their interest and the Red Devils are believed to be close to getting a deal done, and their cause has been aided by Milan director Zlatan Ibrahimovic's latest confession.

"Zirkzee is the past," Ibrahimovic told a press conference. "We have in mind who to focus on, I won't say names but there is someone we are focusing on.

"We are studying and talking but there is no rush, the market is long. I guarantee that new signings will arrive. We are talking and discussing. Nothing is closed."

United are now believed to have a free run at Zirkzee, having already agreed both personal terms and agent fees with the Dutchman's representatives.

The main question for United is whether to trigger his £34m release clause, which must be paid up front in its entirety, or try to negotiate a payment plan with Bologna which could see them pay a larger fee over a number of years.

As for Milan, they remain keen to sign a new striker and are understood to be interested in Chelsea duo Armando Broja and Romelu Lukaku, both of whom are available for transfer this summer.

Lukaku is valued at £37m, while Broja, who recently admitted he has been approached by clubs in Serie A, could be available for slightly less.

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